FR2845428A1 - Vertical axis machine for capturing energy from wind, comprises vertical axis open drum which supports blade panels able to be continuously rotated to the most effective angle by belt or servo - Google Patents

Abstract

A circular plate (4) rotates about a vertical axis and supports blade panels (11) with the assistance of an upper ring (34). As the circular plate rotates the blade panels also rotate to take up a most effective angle with respect to the wind. The panel rotation may be effected either by a belt drive derived from the motion of the plate or alternatively by a servo mechanism

Description

Vertical axis device for capturing energy from wind or fluid

  movement. The present invention relates to a rotary device with a vertical axis, but which can also function in any other position to capture the energy of the wind or of a moving fluid and transform it into rotary mechanical movement which can drive an electricity generator or activate any device. This device can also be used in reverse function, as an air or fluid propellant by being actuated by a motor or any other

  means capable of performing this function.

  Wind force is usually captured by propeller devices called wind turbines. These devices have two drawbacks which raise some dissatisfaction emanating from the inhabitants living nearby. They are very bulky and occupy an important place in the landscape, other

  apart from that they generate an unpleasant characteristic noise.

  The device according to the invention is less bulky and also quieter, while retaining excellent efficiency; this device does not include radial propeller blades, but vertical panels (11) to capture the force of the wind; these vertical panels (11) are automatically orientable, they are arranged circularly on a rotating upper support (4), perpendicular to its plane of rotation and parallel to its central pivot axis (3), equidistant from the center and at regular intervals . These vertical panels (11) can be flat and made of rigid material or made of a rigid frame filled with an elastic membrane, or a mast with a sail, all

  two being able to dig under the force of the wind or a fluid.

  The rotating upper support (4) has its pivot axis (3) held by a bearing (2) with a rolling or self-lubricating ring fixed on a lower base support (1); the end of the pivot axis (3) protrudes very far below the support

  lower base to serve as PTO (8).

  Under the pressure of the wind or a fluid, the vertical panels (11) cause the upper support (4) to rotate; according to three first versions of the device according to the invention, the rotational movement is recovered by a coupling and angular positioning mechanism, which from the return effect automatically activates the rotation of the vertical panels (11) on themselves, so as to they have a favorable position relative to the direction of the wind or the fluid, during their circular movement on the upper rotating support 5 (4). In this situation and according to the very principle which underpins the originality of this invention, the angular rotation of the vertical panels (11) on themselves, is carried out in the opposite direction and at the rate of half a turn per turn of upper support. For this to work thus it is imperative that the support

  lower base is oriented according to the wind or fluid direction.

  According to a fourth version of the device according to the invention, the automatic angular positioning of the vertical panels (11) takes place by the action of servomotors (28) associated with an electronic control module (29), and with sensors (30, 31) which record the angular positioning of the rotating upper support (4) with respect to the direction of the wind or the fluid, and which makes the corrections necessary to obtain the best angular positioning of the vertical panels (11) during their circular travel on the upper support (4). In the case of this fourth version, it is no longer necessary to orient the lower base support as a function of the wind or fluid direction. When the device according to the invention operates in the open air, the actuator (28) and electronic control module (29) assembly can be supplied with energy either by a generator constituted by a set of associated photovoltaic solar panels (32). to an accumulator battery (33), the whole arranged in a crown above the rotating upper support (4) and around its central axis (3), in a perfectly balanced mass to avoid any vibration during the rotations of the support rotating upper (4). Either by a set of ballet and collector arranged around the pivot axis, and below the

rotating upper panels.

  Proper operation of the device according to the invention is obtained from two vertical panels (11), but it can be equipped with an unlimited number of vertical panels (11). A prototype of the device according to the invention object of the

  description has been made with four vertical panels (11) and works very

  well. By way of example, the automatic positioning of the vertical panels (11) during their journey on the rotating upper support (4) can be described from four typical phases as follows with respect to the wind or the direction of the fluid: Phase 1: When the vertical panels (11) raise the wind or the fluid they are positioned in profile and thus present a minimum of surface facing the

  wind or fluid, thus resulting in a minimum of resistance to the latter.

  Phase 2: While continuing their journey, the vertical panels (11) cross the wind or the fluid while being positioned at an angle, they thus take advantage of the thrust

  side of the wind or the fluid which propels them in the direction of their journey.

  Phase 3: Still continuing their journey, the vertical panels (11) meet opposite to phase 1, that is to say on the other side of the rotating support (4); at that time, they are positioned perpendicularly to the wind or to the fluid offering the maximum surface area for taking in the wind. In this position, the vertical panels (11) then benefit from the thrust of the wind

  rear or the fluid which always propels them in the direction of their journey.

  Phase 4: In the rest of their journey, the vertical panels (l1) are opposite to phase 2, i.e. on the other side of the rotating support 20 (4) at this time they are also positioned at an angle but inversely compared to the position in phase 2, this time they benefit from the side thrust of the wind or the fluid in the other direction which is that of their course on the

rotating support.

  During these four phases the position of the vertical panels (11) occupies a reduced space, it is much less than the space occupied by a conventional wind turbine for the same efficiency. In addition, the device according to the invention in its first three versions can be included in a fairing, serving to

  soundproof and channel the air flow.

  The device according to the invention can also have a reverse function, and serve to propel air or fluids, provided that it is coupled to a drive device which can be a motor or any other device

able to perform this function.

  The accompanying drawings with numbered marks illustrate the invention

  in its four versions, including the detailed constitution described below.

  The device according to the invention comprises in a first version more particularly shown in FIGS. 3, 4 and 5 a lower support (1) serving as a base which can be oriented in the direction of the wind or the fluid. This support comprises in a central area a bearing (2) equipped with a pin (3) serving as a central pivot to a rotating support (4) placed above. In the space between the two supports, are placed a stack of four identical and superimposed toothed pulleys 10 (5), having a hole in their center through which passes the pivot axis (3) of the rotating upper support (4), without contact with these superimposed toothed pulleys (5) which are fixed integrally to the lower base support (1), using a base (6) provided with screws or rivets (7) or by any other means useful for this function. The pivot axis (3) of the rotating upper support 15 (4) extends sufficiently below the base lower support (1) to serve as a PTO (8). The upper rotating support (4) placed above itself comprises a set of four identical bearings (9) arranged circularly and at regular intervals around its central pivot axis (3). These four bearings (9) are equipped with identical vertical pivot axes (10) fixedly attached to the center of a set of four identical vertical panels (11) for capturing the force of the wind or the fluid. The set of four pivots (10) are extended below the rotating upper support (4) and each comprise in this place an identical toothed pulley (12) itself comprising a number of notches twice the number of notches of the pulleys

  2 identical 5 superimposed (5) fixed to the base support (1).

  A set of four identical toothed belts (13) mechanically connect the four pulleys of the axial pivots to the four smaller pulleys (5) secured to the base support (1), to ensure mechanical coupling between them. Each set of pulleys and toothed belt constitutes a device

  3 0 for angular positioning of vertical panels.

  When the wind or a fluid pushes the vertical panels (11) serving to capture its force, the latter cause the rotation of the rotating upper support (4), consequently the notched belts (13) of mechanical couplings follow this movement in s 'winding by one of their side (14) around the fixed pulleys and unwinding by the other side (15). This particular movement of the toothed belts (13) causes rotation of the pulleys (12) placed under the pivots (10) which actuate the vertical panels (11) in the opposite direction to the rotation of the rotating upper support (4). Given the ratio of number of notches existing between the smaller pulleys (5) fixed to the lower base support (1) and those (12) fixed to the axes of the pivots (10) of the

  vertical panels (11), the rotation of these vertical panels (11) on themselves is done at a rate of half a turn per turn of the upper rotating support (4).

  This particular rotation of the vertical panels (11) has the effect of giving them an optimum orientation and an angle of attack of the wind or of the fluid which makes it possible to use its force to the maximum whatever their position during the

  rotation of the rotating upper support (4).

  According to a second version of the device according to the invention more particularly represented by FIGS. 6 and 7, the rotational movement of the upper support (4) is transmitted back to the vertical panels (11) by a set of four angular positioning devices identical (15), constituted by gears (16) located in the space between the upper rotating support (4) and the lower base support (1). In the center of these sets of gears (16) is positioned a single gear (17) which is central and common to all the others, and which has a hole in its center, through which the pivot axis (3) passes. of the rotating upper support (4), without contact with this single gear (17) which is fixed integrally to the lower base support (1), using a base (18) provided with screws or rivets (7) or any other appropriate means. It is the rotation of the upper support (4) around the single central gear (17) fixed to the lower base support (1), which generates the rotational movement of all the other gears belonging to

  all four angular positioning devices.

  The pivot axis (3) of the rotating upper support (4) extends sufficiently below the lower base support (1) to serve as a PTO (8). Below the rotating upper support (4), in the extension of all the four pivot axes (10) of the vertical panels (11), are fixed to each of these 5 pivot axes (10) an identical gear (19). Between these four identical gears (19) and the central single gear (17) fixed to the lower base support (1) are interposed four other identical reversing gears (20) mounted on identical pivot axes (38) held by identical bearings. (21) fixed to the upper support (4), so when the latter rotates, the four gears (20) 10 roll against the single central gear (17) which is fixed and start to rotate communicating their movement to the others (19 ). These gear assemblies (16) constitute the angular positioning device of each panel

vertical (1 1).

  This is important: the number of teeth ratio between the single gear (17) 1 5 fixed to the lower support (1) and the set of other gears (16) is such that it allows the vertical panels (11) to be exactly ) to rotate in opposite direction to the rotation of the upper rotating support (4), at the rate of half a whole on themselves per turn of the upper rotating support (4), when the device according to the invention is actuated by the force of the wind or fluid. In other words, the transmission of the rotational movement between the two parts is done by

  reduction of one half with reversal of direction. To obtain this result, the central gear (17) fixed to the lower base support (1) has a number of teeth four times less than the sum of the teeth of the other two gears, constituting an angular positioning device (16) of the 25 vertical panels (11).

  According to a third version of the device according to the invention more particularly represented by FIGS. 8 and 9, the rotational movement of the upper support (4) is transmitted to the vertical panels (11) by a set of four identical angular positioning devices ( 21), constituted by bevel gears for bevel gear, some of which (26) are associated with

extension pins (25).

  These four angular positioning assemblies (21) are located in the space between the upper rotating support (4) and the lower base support (1). In the center of these four angular positioning device (21) is positioned a single bevel gear (22) which is central and common to the four angular positioning device (21), and which has a hole in its center through which passes the pivot axis (3) of the rotating upper support (4) without contact with this gear (22) which is fixed integrally to the lower base support (1), using a base (23) provided with screws or rivets (7) or any other suitable means of fixing. It is the rotation of the upper support (4) around this single gear (22) fixed to the lower base support (1) which generates the rotational movement of all the other gears belonging to the

  four sets of angular positioning devices (21).

  The pivot axis (3) of the rotating upper support (4) extends sufficiently below the lower base support (1) to serve as a PTO (8).

  Below the rotating upper support (4), in the extension of the four pivot axes (10) of the vertical panels (11), are fixed on each of these axes (10) a bevel gear (24) for bevel gear. Between the four identical bevel gears (24) and the central bevel gear (22) also conical fixed to the lower base support (1), are interposed four identical drive shafts 20 composed of an axis (25) having at each of its ends a bevel gear (26) for bevel gear; these two meshes (26) being identical, each drive shaft also comprises in their intermediate parts two identical bearings (27) fixed to the rotating upper support (4). This set of four angular positioning devices (21) is used to actuate the vertical panels (11) when they are very far from the center of the rotating upper support (4), and at the same time allows the reversal of their direction of rotation. relative to the upper rotating support (4). Thus, when the latter turns the bevel gears (26) of the four groups in contact with the fixed central gear (22), roll against the latter, which causes them to rotate on their axes. This is important: the ratio of the number of teeth between the single central gear (22) fixed to the lower base support (1) and the set of gears of each angular positioning device must be such that it allows the vertical panels (11) to rotate on themselves in the opposite direction to the rotation of the rotating upper support (4), at the rate of a half turn of vertical panels (11) per turn of the rotating upper support (4) when these 5 are activated by the force of the wind or a fluid. In other words, the transmission of the rotational movement to the vertical panels is done by half reduction with reversal of direction. To obtain this result, the central gear (22) fixed to the lower base support (1) has a number of teeth four times less than the sum of the teeth of the other three 10 gears constituting each angular positioning device (21) of the

vertical panels (11).

  According to the gear transmission methods, in general it is possible to interpose an infinite number of intermediate gears provided that the direction of rotation and the ratio of one in two between the fixed central gear (17 or 15 22) are respected and the gears which actuate the pivot axes (10) of the panels

vertical (1 1).

  According to a fourth version of the device according to the invention more particularly represented by FIGS. 10 and 11, the rotational movement of the four identical vertical panels (11) on themselves is ensured by a set of four identical servo motors (28 ), placed on each of the pivot axes (10) of the vertical panels (11). The four servo motors (28) are connected to an electronic control module (29) which is itself connected to an angular position sensor (30) of the rotating upper support (4), as well as to a direction detector (31) wind or fluid. The servo motor and electronic control module assembly (29) can be supplied with electric current either by an assembly comprising photovoltaic solar panels (32) associated with an accumulator battery (33) consisting of elements placed in a ring around the center of the rotating upper support (4), having their mass balanced so as to avoid any production of vibration during the rotation of the rotating upper support 30 (4). The servo-motor (28) and electronic module (29) assembly can also be supplied by another assembly comprising brushes and collector, arranged around the pivot axis of the rotating upper support (4). In each of the embodiments, when the device according to the invention must be exposed to strong winds; to avoid the risk of deterioration which could be caused by centrifugal force, due to too high speed of rotation. It is necessary to place a reinforcement piece (34) which connects the top of the vertical panels (11) to one another. This reinforcement piece (34) comprises bearings (35) into which a second pivot axis (36) located at the upper end of each of the two penetrates.

vertical panels (11).

Claims (8)

claims   1) Device for capturing the energy of the wind or a current of fluid and transforming it into a rotary mechanical movement And conversely for propelling air or a fluid by actuating it by an external means which can be a motor or any other medium, characterized in that it comprises a lower base support (5) equipped with a bearing (2) which receives the central pivot axis (3) of a rotary upper support (4), itself comprising a set of vertical panels (1) mounted on pivot axes (10) held by bearings (9), the assembly arranged circularly, at regular intervals and equidistant from the center of the rotating upper support (4). The pivot axes (10) of the vertical panels (9) are mechanically connected to positioning devices   automatic angular which are the subject of the following claims. The device according to the invention can be equipped with a reinforcement piece (34) comprising bearings (35) into which pivot axes (36) fixed to   the upper end of each vertical panel (11).   2) Device according to claim 1 characterized in that, in the first version represented by Figures 3,4 and 5 of the device according to the invention, the angular positioning device of each pivot axis (l0) of the vertical panels (l 1 ) consists of a set comprising two notched pulleys (12) one of which is fixed to each pivot axis (10) of the vertical panels (l1) and another one having half the teeth (5) is fixed to the lower base support (1) around the pivot axis (3) of the upper support (4) without contact with it. The above-mentioned assembly also includes a notched belt (13) for mechanical connection which is wound on one of its side (14) and takes place on the other side (15) around the part fixed to the lower base support. (l) when the upper support (4) starts to rotate, which causes the vertical panels (l 1) to rotate in the opposite direction at the rate of half a turn per revolution of the upper support (4).  3) Device according to claim 1 characterized in that in a second version represented by Figures 6 and 7 of the device according to the invention, the automatic angular positioning device of each pivot axis (10) of the vertical panels (l 1) is constituted by a gear assembly of which a first 5 is mounted on each of the aforementioned pivot axes (1O), a second gear (20) is interposed between the first (19) and a third gear (17) which is central and common to all the others is fixedly attached to the lower base support (l), positioned around the pivot axis (3) of the upper support   turning (4) without contact with it.   1O The third gear which is central (17) and which is fixed to the lower base support (1) has a number of teeth four times less than the sum of the teeth of the other two gears (19,20) constituting each set of device angular positioning. In addition the number of gears of each   together produces an inversion of direction of rotation.   1 5 4) Device according to claim 1 characterized in that in a third version represented by Figures 8 and 9 of the device according to the invention, the automatic angular positioning device of each pivot axis (10) of the vertical panels (11) is constituted by a set of bevel gears for bevel gear, a first (24) of which is mounted on each of the axes 20 pivots (10) mentioned above. Then, an assembly comprising two bevel gears (26,26) mounted at each end of an axis (25) which is held by two bearings (27,27) fixed to the upper support (4) this assembly is interposed between the first gear (24) and another bevel gear (22) which is central and common to all the others and fixed integrally to the lower base support (l) 25 positioned around the pivot axis (3) of the rotating upper support (4) without contact with the latter. This is very important, the fixed gear (22) arranged around the pivot axis (3) has a number of teeth four times less than the sum of the teeth of the other three gears (27,27,24) of each set.   constituting the angular positioning devices.   5) Device according to claim 1 characterized in that in a fourth version of the device according to the invention shown in Figures 10 and 11, the automatic positioning of each pivot axis (1O) of the vertical panels (l 1) is constituted by a servo motor (28) connected to an electronic control device (29) and to an angular positioning detection device (30) of the upper support (4) as well as to a device for detecting the wind direction (31) or fluid.   6) Device according to claim 1 characterized in that the panels   vertical can be flat in rigid material.   7) Device according to claim 1 characterized in that the vertical panels may consist of a rigid frame filled with an elastic membrane. 1o 8) Device according to claim 1 characterized in that the panels   vertical can be constituted by a mast with a sail.